Toilet flush mechanism



June 6, 1967 E. W. SCHRODER TOILET FLUSH MECHANISM Filed Feb. 1, 1965 mmww EDWARD W SCH/P0051? INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 0 3,323,142 TOILET FLUSH MECHANISM Edward W. Schroder, 1701 Mayburu, Dearhorn, Mich. 43128 Filed Feb. 1, I965, Ser. No. 429,594 12 (llaims. (Cl. 4-249) This invention relates to flush valves for tanks which are filled with water, especially toilet water tanks.

Conventional flush valves for toilet tanks are actuated by a manually rotatable handle. Rotation of this handle results in the swinging movement of a lever mounted inside the tank which is connected through a linkage to a buoyant valve. The valve is seated on the flushing outlet at the bottom of the water-filled tank. When the handle is rotated, the valve is lifted from the outlet to permit the water in the tank to pass through the outlet into a pipe which is in communication with the toilet bowl so as to effect the flushing operation.

The buoyant valve will remain lifted off the outlet until the water in the tank has been substantially emptied through the flushing outlet. Then the buoyant valve will seat itself to close the flushing outlet. A conventional float connected to a water inlet valve will drop as the water level in the tank is lowered to open the inlet valve. Water will flow into the tank through the opened valve until the water level raises the float to a position at which it will shut off the water inflow.

Other refinements such as push button actuated flush mechanisms are commercially available but have not found wide acceptance because of their high cost and the relative high manual effort required to bring about the swinging movement of the lever in the tank so as to open the flushing outlet.

The preservation of water is quite critical in some areas of the country because of shortage or high cost of water. Numerous water-saving devices have been invented to prevent the waste of water in toilet flushing operation, but most of these devices are cumbersome and very frequently increase the effort necessary for actuating the flushing mechanism. Many of the present flushing actuating mechanisms are not always positive and therefore require manipulation to properly actuate the system.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a positive flushing apparatus for a toilet tank which can be actuated with minimum effort. Further, this invention eliminates false flushing by which is meant the opening of the flushing outlet before sufficient water has accumulated in the tank to effect an effective flush of the toilet bowl or failure of the flush valve to unseat properly once or repeatedly through manual malfunction.

In accordance with the present invention to effect a substantial improvement in the operation of a toilet flushing mechanism having a conventional water tank with a flushing outlet at the bottom thereof, there is provided a buoyant means or float which is mounted for rising and falling movement within the tank. A valve which seats itself on the flushing outlet to shut off the flow of water,

from the tank is interconnected with the buoyant means. A flushing actuating mechanism is operatively connected to the buoyant means by a scissor linkage. Upon actuation of the mechanism, the scissor linkage is moved by the mechanism into an overcenter position so as to jackknife, allowing the buoyant means to rise in the filled water tank from its low position.

The rising buoyant means will lift the valve from the seat of the flushing outlet. Then, as the water level drops, the buoyant means returns to its low position, thereby opening the scissor linkage which will retain the buoyant means submerged when the water level rises.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the actuating mechanism is of a push button design. The push 3,323,142 Patented June 6, 1967 button has a stem extension that abuts the upper segment of the scissor linkage which in its vertical or extended position maintains the buoyant means at its low position. When the button is manually depressed, the upper segment is pivoted to cause the overcenter pivoted scissor linkage to fold or jackknife, thereby releasing the buoyant means. A lever mounted in the tank for swinging movement is interconnected to the valve by a chain. An interconnecting linkage between the buoyant means and the lever brings about the swinging upward movement of the latter when the buoyant means rises so as to move the valve from the flushing outlet.

According to another embodiment of this invention, a second buoyant means or float is provided which is directly connected to a link that is pivotally attached to the stem extension of the push button actuating mechanism. This link is placed into a horizontal position so as to abut the upper segment of the scissor linkage by the second float if this float is lifted by the water in the tank. When the water level is low, the second float will swing the link downwardly to prevent contact between the scissor link-age and the push button mechanism. Thus, the depression of the push button will not actuate the flushing mechanism of the toilet tank if the water level has not reached a sufficient height, thereby preventing false flushing.

As the buoyant means replaces a large amount of water without decreasing the head in the toilet tank, a substantial amount of water can be saved.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following description, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a toilet tank with most of the front wall cut away to depict the flushing mechanism including the buoyant means of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of 'FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE l with the buoyant means shown rising to its high position; and,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there can be seen a conventional toilet tank 11 for a toilet having a cover 12 and a flushing mechanism 13 which will be described in greater detail hereafter.

A conventional water inlet valve (not shown) is mounted in the tank 11 to supply water .to the tank 11. A water flushing outlet 14 at the bottom of the tank 11 is connected by a pipe 15 to the toilet bowl (not shown). The water inlet valve is controlled by a balloon float 16 that is adapted to rise and fall with water level in the tank 11 to control the water supply through the water inlet valve.

The water flushing outlet 14 is provided with a valve seat 17 which is attached to an overflow pipe 18 that rises in the tank 11. A valve 119 has a fastening portion 21 which is attached to the overflow pipe 18 and also has a main body 22 that is adapted to seat on the valve seat 17 to close the flushing outlet 14.

The valve 19 may be formed from a rubberlike com pound which is open at the bottom and adapted to float in the tank of water after it is dislodged from the seat 17 and adapted to seat itself after the water level has fallen.

A manually operable actuating mechanism 23 is attached to the tank 11 by a bushing 24 extending through a bore 25 in the wall of the tank 11 as best seen in FIGURE 4.

The bushing 24 has a shoulder 26 on the outside of the tank 11 and a threaded portion 27 projecting into the tank 11. A push button 23 is carried by the bushing 24 with a stem 29 attached to the push button 28 extending through the bushing 24 into the tank 11. A link 31 is pivotally attached to the inwardly projecting end of the stem 29. A coil spring 32 encompasses the stem 29 and is retained in the bushing 24 by the shoulder 26 so as to provide the return force for the push button 28 after it is released.

A bifurcated support bracket 33 is carried by the bushing 24 and mounted to the tank 11 by a nut 34 threaded onto the threaded portion 2 7 of the bushing 24.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, a vertical guide post 35 extends downwardly from the bracket 33. A

. buoyant means or large float 36 of rectangular shape is provided with a bore 37 through which the guide post 35 extends so that the float 36 will move in a vertical direction with the water level in the tank 11. The float 36 may be fabricated from a nonabsorbent foamed plastic having a high buoyancy or a specific gravity of less than 1.0 such as Styrofoam manufactured by Dow Chemical Company.

The float 36 is interconnected with the support bracket 33 by a scissor linkage 38 comprising an upper segment 39 and a lower segment 41 having their respective inner ends pivotally connected at an overcenter pivotal connection 42. The upper or outer end of the upper segment 39 is pivotally connected to the upper arm of the bracket, and the lower or outer end of the lower segment 41 is pivotally attached to the float 36.

Under the influence of gravity, the upper and lower segments 39 and 41 will be in an extended or aligned position along an axis which makes a slight angle with a vertical axis passing through the tank 11. When the water level is low, the upper and lower segments 39 and 41 are retained in the aligned position by a stop means such as an upwardly turned flange 43 at the pivotal connection 42, in this instance, to prevent further movement of the lower segment 41.

When a force is applied to the upper segment 39, the pivotal connection 42 will swing counterclockwise past its overcenter position of the scissor linkage 38 to cause it to jackknife as seen in FIGURE 3.

A spring 44 assists the upper and lower segments 39, 41 to return to an extended or aligned position as seen in FIGURE 2 when the force is removed from the upper segment 39.

The link 31 is connected to a second small float 45 by a bent rod 36. As the small float 45 is raised in the tank 11 by the rising water level, the rod 46 will swing the link 31 to a horizontal position as seen in FIGURE 2 to place the end of the link 31 in abutment with the upper segment 39. The link 31 is provided with a beveled end that serves as a stop.

A lever 47'is provided which, in conjunction with the float 36, operates the valve 19 as best seen in FIGURE 1. One end portion of the lever 47 is pivotally attached to the bracket 33. The other end portion of the level 47 is connected by a chain 48 to the main body of the valve 19.

As best seen in FIGURE 4, a vertical link 49 operatively interconnects the lever 47 with the float 36. The link 49 is pivotally connected by a pin 51 to the lever 47 intermediate its end portions at a point spaced vertically from the float 36. The vertical link 49 remains in a substantially vertical position with its lower end in abutrnent with the top surface of the float 36 during swingmg movement of the lever 47. The offsetting of the guide post 35 from the center of the float 36 and the large horizontal spacing between the vertical link 49 and the guide post 36 result in the cancellation of force couples that brings about a smooth and positive vertical movement of the float 36 upon its release from its low position.

The operation of the flushing mechanism 13 of this invention is as follows:

When the tank 11 is filled with water, the link 31 is in a horizontal position and in abutment with the upper segment 39 as seen in FIGURE 2. To flush the toilet, the push button 28 is depressed or pushed inwardly manually. This will cause the stem 29 and link 31 to move inwardly or to the right When viewed in FIGURES 3 and 4 so as to bring about the jackknifing of the scissor linkage 38 as seen in FIGURE 2. Instantly, the float 36 is released from its lowered position and due to its buoyancy will rise vertically guided by the guide post 35 to its high water level position in the tank 11. At this position, the float 36 is in contact with the lower arm of the support bracket 33 as seen in FIGURE 3.

Vertical movement of the float 36 will result in vertical link 49 to be pushed upwardly to cause the swinging movement in a counterclockwise direction of the lever 47 as seen in FIGURE 1 in phantom lines. This will result in the valve 19 to be lifted off the valve seat 17 by chain 48. Then, water in the tank 11 empties through flushing outlet 14 to flush the toilet.

As the water level falls, the float 36 and the float 45 will drop. The float 36 will reach its low position as seen in FIGURE 2 and be retained in that position by the extended scissor linkage 38 throughout the'refilling of the tank 11.

The valve 19 will he pulled down onto the valve seat 17 after most of the water has run out of the tank 11 as seen in FIGURE 1. The inlet valve will be opened by the lowered balloon float 16 to permit water to be supplied to the tank 11. The water will rise in the tank 11 until the balloon float 16 is in approximate horizontal alignment with the water inlet to cause the shut off of the Water supply.

When the water level has not risen sufliciently to provide a proper head for the flushing operation, the small float 45 will be in a lowered or free hanging position, thereby retaining link 31 in a pivoted poistion out of abutment with the upper segment 39 as seen in FIGURE 2. As the water level rises, float 45 will rise correspondingly and swing link 31 into a horizontal position. It can be readily understood that the small float 45 prevents false flushing or incomplete flushing action by making the flushing mechanism 13 inoperative until sufficient water has accumulated in the tank 11.

The large float or buoyant means 36 not only allows for the replacement of a substantial amount of water without varying the head but also provides the main energy for lifting the valve 19 off the seat 17 of the flushing outlet 14. Thus, the only manual elfort required to actuate the flushing mechanism of this invention is the force necessary to swing the pivotal connection 42 past its overcenter position. The actual lifting of the buoyant valve 19 off the seat 17 is accomplished by the buoyancy of the float 36 which is released upon the jackknifing of the scissor linkage 38.

The light touch required to actuate the push button flushing mechanism 13 of this invention allows invalids and handicapped persons who cannot grasp handles to operate the mechanism. Also, the flushing mechanism 13 is more positive and quieter in operation. Further, there is no way of the interconnecting linkages to hang up or interlock to prevent smooth functioning as is frequently the case with flushing mechanisms presently known in the art. Substantial savings in water are also effected.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction shown and described but that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a flushing apparatus including a water tank having a flushing outlet, a valve means for closing said outlet, buoyant means mounted for movement from a low position in said tank, an outlet valve actuating mechanism attached to said tank, means operatively connecting said valve means to said buoyant means, and a movable linkage means operatively connecting said actuating mechanism to said buoyant means, said linkage means in its normal position retaining said buoyant means in said low position, said linkage means being moved from its normal position upon actuation of said actuating mechanism to cause the release of said buoyant means from its low position, said buoyant means rising from its low position when said tank is filled with water thereby displacing said valve from said flushing outlet.

2. In combination with a flushing apparatus including a water tank having a flushing outlet, a valve in a lowered position closing said outlet, buoyant means mounted for movement between a low and a high position in said tank, an outlet valve actuating mechanism secured to said tank, an operable linkage means connecting said actuating mechanism to said buoyant means and normally retaining said buoyant means in the low position, said linkage means operative to release said buoyant means from the low position upon actuation of said actuating mechanism, a movable lever means interconnecting said buoyant means with said valve said buoyant means rising to the high position upon actuation of said actuating mechanism and when said tank is filled with water to cause said lever means to move thereby pulling said valve from said outlet.

3. In combination with a flushing apparatus including a tank fillable with water and having a flushing outlet, a valve in its lowered position closing said outlet, a buoyant float mounted for movement between a low and a high position depending on the water level in said tank, an outlet valve actuating mechanism attached to and projecting into said tank, an operable linkage means operatively connecting the portion of said actuating mechanism projecting into said tank with said float, swingable lever means operatively interconnecting said float and said valve, said linkage means retaining said float in its low position when said float has dropped to said low position upon the lowering of the water level in said tank, said linkage means operative to release said float from its low position upon actuation of said actuating mechanism, said float rising to a high position upon being released and when said tank is filled with water to cause swinging movement of said lever means thereby lifting said valve from said outlet allowing water from said tank to be emptied through said outlet.

4. In combination with a flushing apparatus including a water tank having a flushing outlet, a valve in a lowered position closing said outlet, buoyant float means mounted for movement between a low and a high position in said tank, an outlet valve actuating mechanism secured to said tank, a foldable linkage means connecting said actuating mechanism with said buoyant float means in an extended or nonfolded position retaining said buoyant float means in a low position, a movable lever means operatively interconnecting said buoyant float means with said valve, said linkage means folding upon actuation of said actuating mechanism to cause the release of said buoyant float means from its low position, said buoyant float means upon being released rising to a high position when said tank contains water thereby moving said lever means, movement of said lever means causing said valve to be displaced from said flushing outlet to allow the water in the tank to be emptied therethrough.

5. The flushing apparatus of claim 4 which is further characterized in that said foldable linkage means comprises two segments pivotally connected to each other by a pivotal connection, said foldable linkage means jackknifing upon movement of said pivotal connection.

6. The flushing apparatus of claim 5 and which is further characterized in that said actuating mechanism includes a movable link in abutment with said linkage means, said link being moved upon actuation of said actuating mechanism to cause said pivotable connection to move thereby causing said linkage means to jackknife.

7. The flushing apparatus of claim 5 and which is further characterized in that said actuating mechanism comprises a depressible push buttom with a stem means extending therefrom, said stem means abutting one of said segments of said linkage means to cause movement of said pivotal connection upon depression of said push button thereby effecting the jackknifing of said linkage means.

8. The flushing apparatus of claim 6 and which is further characterized in that said movable link has one end swingable into and out of abutment with said linkage means by a means controlled by the water level in said tank.

9. The flushing apparatus of claim 8 and which is further characterized in that said control means is a second float rising and falling with the water level in said tank, said second float being connected to said one end of the link, said second float in a lowered position swinging said one end of said link out of abutment with said linkage means, said second float in a raised position swinging said one end of the link into abutment with said linkage means to place said flushing apparatus in an operative condition.

10. In combination with a flushing apparatus including a water tank fillable with water and having a flushing outlet connected to a toilet, a valve mounted in said tank and adapted to close said outlet, 9. float mounted for movement between a low and high position depending on the water level in said tank, support means at tached to said tank, a linkage means having one end pivotally connected to said support means and the other end pivotally connected to said float, said linkage means comprising two segments connected by a pivotal connection disposed intermediate the ends of said linkage means, said two segments being normally in an aligned position extending in a generally vertical direction, said two segments in an aligned position retaining said float in its low position, said two segments being swingable about said pivotal connection to place said segments into a folded position thereby releasing said float, a lever having one end portion pivotally connected to said support means, a chain connecting the other end portion of said lever to said valve, a link having one end pivotally attached to said lever intermediate its end portions and having the other end maintained in contact with said float, and an outlet valve actuating mechanism including an operable stem means in abutment with one of the two segments of said linkage means, said stem means upon being placed in an operative position swinging said segments about said pivotal connection to cause said segments to be placed in a folded position to allow said float to rise to the high position thereby swinging the other end portion of said lever upwardly through said link to pull said valve from said outlet.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 and which is further characterized in that said stem mean includes a depressible push button, said stem means being placed in an operative position upon depression of said push button.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 and which is further characterized in that said stem means includes a swingable link, a second float connected to said link, said link being swingable into abutment with one of said two segments by said second float when the water level is high in said tank and out of abutment with said one segment when the water level is low in said tank.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,261,224 4/1918 Fletcher et a1. 137-416 2,764,179 9/ 1956 Yonchar 1'37417 2,908,018 10/1959 Petrie 457 X 3,095,901 7/1963 Larson et a1. 25'166 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. H. J. GROSS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A FLUSHING APPARATUS INCLUDING A WATER TANK HAVING A FLUSHING OUTLET, A VALVE MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID OUTLET, BUOYANT MEANS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT FROM A LOW POSITION IN SAID TANK, AN OUTLET VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM ATTACHED TO SAID TANK, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID VALVE MEANS TO SAID BUOYANT MEANS, AND A MOVABLE LINKAGE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID ACTUATING MECHANISM TO SAID BUOYANT MEANS, SAID LINKAGE MEANS IN ITS NORMAL POSITION RETAINING SAID BUOY- 